Gloria Eckert

Director of Children’s Ministry

Working with children in some capacity for most of her life brought Gloria Eckert to her current job as the Director of Children’s Ministries at Park Church. The list of past positions that she has filled in other churches seems daunting. She has been a Sunday School teacher, a Sunday School Superintendent, a Vacation Bible School Director, and a Youth Director. Her experiences and emotional connections with young children are particularly strong.

Gloria and her husband Dennis moved to Grand Rapids from St. Louis in 2007 to be nearer their daughter and grandchildren. They became active members of Park Church at that time. When the staff position became available, Gloria quickly offered her skills and experience. She has been on the job since mid-2011.

The Worship Centers continue to engage the school-aged children at Park. Gloria helps the Christian Development Ministry Team in recruiting the teachers who work with this very specific curriculum. She provides the teacher training for this part of the children’s ministry as well as for those who care for the babies and toddlers. Under her watchful eye, an updated Safe Church policy will be in place soon as well.

In addition to her work, Gloria spends time reading good books and listening to classical music. She has always enjoyed cooking, especially when experimenting with the harvests from her herb garden. Spending time with friends and family, including the Park Church family, bring both pleasure and meaning to Gloria’s life.

Full retirement can wait. Gloria has discovered that meaningful work with children still needs to be done.